KCH Celebrates Hospital Week

Kane Community Hospital joins hospitals across the state and nation in celebrating National Hospital Week during May 10-16.

National Hospital Week is the nation’s largest annual healthcare event. This year’s theme “A Healthy Commitment in Changing Times,” is a phrase organizers believe provides a positive view of the future.

“While change is inevitable, our mission is constant: to deliver compassionate, high quality, cost-effective healthcare to those we serve,” stated J. Gary Rhodes, CEO of KCH. “Our KCH family wants the very best for each of our patients, and that’s what they bring to their work at the hospital and ancillary clinics every day.”

The celebration only lasts one week, but KCH’s dedication to delivering on its mission is a 365 day a year, seven day a week, 24 hours a day commitment to residents and guests of the Alleghenies, a commitment KCH has kept for over eight decades.

“Our staff is a committed, compassionate group of individuals united by a call to serve others,” Rhodes said. “Health care is changing to meet new challenges, but our care and commitment are an enduring source of pride and confidence.”

The health care industry employs more than 14 million workers throughout the U.S. The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) recently identified hospitals in Pennsylvania as employing approximately 625,000 Pennsylvanians, 286,000 in direct employment and 339,000 employed as a result of hospital operations.

“Pennsylvania’s hospitals are responsible for one out of every nine jobs in the Commonwealth,” said Rhodes.

PA Hospitals generate total labor income of more than $26.3 billion and $4 billion in community benefit -- that includes charity care, and financial aid programs, uncompensated care, bad debt, and Medicare and Medicaid underpayments, along with public education, health fairs, screenings, and much more.

The HAP report noted that PA Hospitals together have an $84 billion effect on jobs and communities.

Kane Community Hospital contributes $35 million annually to the region and supports more than 318 jobs in McKean, Elk and Warren Counties.

“KCH is an economic and social anchor providing healing, health, and hope in our community,” said J. Gary Rhodes, CEO. “We also provide a safe haven and a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.”

"KCH is on track with a Hamot Medical Center affiliation that will allow both hospitals to realize greater efficiencies in operations, while providing long-term stability for KCH,” Rhodes stated. “Partnering with Hamot, again selected as a Top 100 Hospital, will only enhance local access to high quality medical care, while allowing KCH to remain a strong anchor for health care in the region.”

Among the events of a week of celebration during National Hospital Week at KCH are two highly anticipated annual events.

One is an employee dinner that is prepared with the help of senior leaders, and delivered to KCH clinic staff in Sheffield, Mt. Jewett, Johnsonburg and Ridgway) as well as served in the KCH café for hospital employees and medical staff. The choice is grilled (by CEO and senior leaders) steak or stuffed chicken breast with all the fixing's!!

Another favorite event is employee massages by appointment over two days of the weeklong celebration.

“In this our 80th year of delivering personal, professional and progressive care to our region, there is much to celebrate,” Rhodes noted.

Pictured, A smoky scene from last year’s grilling will be repeated on Friday, May 15 during National Hospital Week. Here KCH CEO Gary Rhodes and Senior Leader of Human Resources Marsha Keller are grilling steaks.
(Photo courtesy of Kane Community Hospital)